Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 November 2003 — Page 11

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Order of Service Religion

B SECTION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14. 2003

SPIRITUAL . OUTLOOK Prayer changes ! things... or does if? By REV. JACQUELYN POWELL Have you ever prayed about something and felt as though you did not get an answer? What is prayer anyway? How do we pray for someone when we feel as though it won’t do any good? If you’re like me, you have struggled over the years with prayer. Yes, even preachers have struggled with maintaining a fervent prayer life. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. Do you ever hear a person pray and say, “Boy I want to be able to pray like that!” That was what I said when I was in a prayer meeting and one of the women began to pray. She had a rhythm going, was loud and even sounded poetic. I told the Lord right then, “Lord, I want to pray like that!” The Lord said to me, “What makes you think I hear that?” The word says, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.” (Matthew 6:5). Her behavior did not line up with the Scriptures although she sounded good when she prayed. Since that time I have never worried about how my prayer sounds. I simply speak from the heart. I believe the Lord wants an intimate relationship with us. Just as you converse with others who you are close to, the Lord wants us to be close to him, he wants us to talk to him in that same way. Most people think when we pray, we should always use formal introductions when talking to the Lord. When I say formal introductions, I’m speaking of: Father, in the name of Jesus, our Father, which art in Heaven, or Father God and so on. We need to seek intimacy with the almighty, not remaining on a formal level ! with our Savior, our creator, our daddy. I believe we should address God formally at times but there are also times when we talk to him in an informal way. The word says we are to pray continually, “men ought to always pray...” If we are to always pray or pray continually, we must have an ongoing conversation. (1 Thessalonians 5:17). If we have an ongoing conversation, we talk to Jesus when we drive, work, interact with others and so on. If we spend a lot of time with someone, we usually drop the formal introductions. We can learn from one another about prayer. Ifyou are like me, at times I’m so exhausted I fall asleep in prayer. In the past, I have beat myselfup about falling asleep. In a conversation with another minister, he shared something with me; he said, “Well, you must have needed the rest. What’s wrong with falling asleep? Remember, God has been known to speak through dreams.” This made a lot of sense to me. Although Jesus addressed the disciples when he went away to pray for this same thing, he does not want us to beat ourselves up. Many of us beat ourselves up about not measuring up to what we feel we should be doing for the 1 ,ord. Remember, Satan’s job is to steal, kill and destroy - to kill your self worth, your dreams, etc., to steal your peace, your job, your money, etc., to destroy your dreams, your life and your family. When we keep that in mind we can recognize him in every negative thought or situation. Satan wants you to beat yourself up. I le wants to find a way to tell you that your prayers are not working. I le’s critical because he does not want you to be close to God. Prayer is a must if we are to be ► OUTLOOK, Pag* B3

POTTER AND CLAY MINISTRIES Local iniNaHve is breaking down strongholds, but needs help to continue work

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer “Cocaine and the lifestyle surrounding it took me down a very ugly road,” said Angela Muir, an Indianapolis woman who started using drugs at the age of 12. “Despite my involvement in a few treatment programs I would always return to the drugs becuase I never made Jesus an essential part of my recovery. But Potter and Clay Ministries has built my faith and I haven’t touched drugs since the first day I showed up,” she said. Muir’s story is very similar to those in our community who have been blessed by this local outreach initiative, which has boldly reached out to addicts with one clear message: Jesus is the key to deliverance. All of the individuals who have entered the doors of Potter Clay’s suite inside the Indiana Interchurch Center building on West 42nd Street come out with an almost entirely different outlook on both drug addiction and their overall spiritual existence. “Our mission is to restore people back to working relationships with their familes in addition to helping them become delivered from drugs,” said Potter and Clay founder, Evangelist Mary Shannon. “Drugs are demons, and people are being taken captive by these drugs and placed in a situtation where they cannot help themselves. Those of us in the church who know that Jesus is the only conqueror of Satan must step up and fight on behalf of these people to try to help them overcome these drug problems.” Visitors who arrive at Potter and Clay’s spacious facility are warmly welcomed* into a nonjudgmental, family-like atmosphere where they can share ex-

periences, receive ministry and hear a series of speakers familiar with drug issues. Former inmates who have been jailed on drugrelated charges are also assisted with preparing lor court cases and making the transition to a clean, productive lifestyle. "Potter and Clay has kept me from going back out there in the streets," said a smiling Bobby I ,< >wcry, a local fat her who used to get into fights with his wife over drugs. Ixmery added that hecompletely lost his desire for drugs less than a month after participating in Potter and Clay activities. “On Thursday nights we usually have a speaker and it’s sharp. Those of us who are fighting drugs cannot go to a better place than Potter and Clay, it saGodly place. They don’t talk about anything but what God can do for you.’’ “When I started talking to sister Shannon I didn't have any reason to think about any drugs because now I realize I have too much to live for and too much at stake just to throw everything away on drugs,” he continued. Muir, who was recently released from jail after promising to attend Potter and Clay sessions, said she has tremendous respect for both Shannon's ability to speak from past experiences and the fact that the program emphasizes “what Jesus can do for you, not what man or nature can do." Shannon, an ordained minister,still has vivid memories ofthe addiction she was finally able to release in 1.988. “I’ve been there, and 1 know the hold drugs can have on a person," Shannon said. “I was an addict for over 20 years, and many times I said I would quit for the people I love, and my heart was sincere. But when you get money in your hands, it’s like a magnetic force that drastically increases temptation. You simply can’t win this battle without Christ; he is the answer." ► See POTTER, Page B3

Indianapolis' own Bishop Leonard Scott inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame

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Bishop Leonard S. Scott By BRANDON A. PERRY

Staff Writer

The local dentist who has been credited by many for adding Indianapolis to the growing network of gospel music recording centers has been given the same honor as many of the genre’s legends. Bishop Leonard S. Scott was recently inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Detroit Marriott Hotel. Surrounded by his wife Christine, son Bryant and gospel music icon Dr. Bobby Jones, Scott accepted his award before performing along with fellow inductees Shirley Abies and the Highway QC’s. The ceremony marked the culmination of what has been an outstanding year for the president and co-founder of 1 ml ianapol is-based Tysct >t Records. In January, he was elevated to the rank of “Suffragan Bishop" by the Pentecostal Assemblies ol the World. Songs from his latest releases, “Power of Worship”

and “ Sound of Praise” have received consistent demand on radio stations since their dual release in May. The other 2003 inductees who joined Scott included Vickie Winans, Dottie Peoples, The Consolers Dr. Dorothy Grant, the Swan Silvertones, Black radio pioneer Bill White and Jimmy Dowell ("I Can Depend on God”). “It was such an exhilarating experience to share this honor with some ofthe greatest names in gospel and to see them get their props,” Dr. Scott said. “As both a businessman and a performing artist. Bishop Scott is one ofthe premier figures in gospel music,” said David Gough, founder and president ofthe Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “He.has also been a strong supporter in our efforts to recognize unsung trailblazers in the gospel industry. We were happy to congratulate him.’’ “He’s been a wonderful man in all areas including, as a dedicated officer of this church, its a father, its a professional person in the medical field with integrity, its a business person, and its one of our suffrage!! bishops," said Bishop James Tyson, pitstor of Christ Church Apostolic, where Bishop Scott served for over 25 years before becoming pitstor of his own congregation. Rock Community ► See SCOTT, Page B3

IN THE SPIRIT

A day for men and women

The "Men's and Women's Day” service took place at St. Rita Catholic Church recently. Father Stephen Brown (right), pastor of St. Rita sits with Father Anthony Clark, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Memphis, Tenn. (Photo/C. Guynn)

Temple of Praise Assembly anniversary Rev. Donald Colder, pastor of Temple of Praise Assembly (shown with wife Barbara) was honored last Sunday during a ceremony celebrating his second pastoral anniversary. Guest pastors who honored Rev. Colder included District Elder Noah Nicholson of Chicago, Bishop Charles Finnell of Christ Temple Apostolic Assembly, Elder Billy Owens of Detroit, and District Elder Michael Cooper of Greater Christ Temple Pentecostal Church In Lima, Ohio. (Photo/C. Guynn)